Can I use old GPU?

Skpstr

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Oct 9, 2013
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I have a budget of $3-400CDN for an upgrade. I would be upgrading 2 parts: CPU & mobo, (currently an Athlon II x2 64 w/AM2 mobo) and GPU. (currently 512Mb 8600GT)

My question is, can I spend that $3-400 (or at least a good chunk of it) on either the CPU & mobo or GPU, and have it work with what I have? (IOW, plug my 8600 GT into a new mobo w/ a new CPU, or plug a new GPU (GTX 660 or 7790 for example) into my old mobo?

Is this advisable? Or am I just better off replacing both items within my budget?

 
Solution
well, if you spend most money on gpu, and less on mobo/cpu, you will see bottlenecks. Better off with better mobo/cpu and old gpu, the upgrade later on
Hi,

The 8600GT is pcie so it should work, but you won't be able to play modern games with that.

The old mobo with a new gpu has more risk of not working and you might not have a proper PSU (at least 500w) for a 660 / 7790.

Also if you change mobo and CPU, you need DDR 3 memory. So you might be tight on money with only $400

If you get a fx-6300 (minimum i recommend for gaming) it's already $120-130
a proper mobo would be minimum $100-150
And 8 GB of 1333 of be about 60 $

So your at minimum of $280-300 plus tax right there and you have the minimum.

maybe you would like to consider gtx 650 ti boost @ about 150-180 $ from there and you could play modern games at medium res.
 

Skpstr

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What about an APU such as this one? (w/mobo): AMD A-Series A10-6800K Accelerated Processor and ASUS F2A55-M LE Motherboard Bundle

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8511653&CatId=7709

Adding 4Gb of 1600Mhz DDR3 RAM would put me just over midway of my budget. Later on I can add a good GPU and a bigger PSU.

Keep in mind that, although I'm primarily gaming with this PC, I'm playing 2-3 year old titles, not looking to max out BF4 or anything.






 

SethS

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This is pretty good, i almost bought the cpu myself. I suggest you do this, and use your old gpu, and save for a
r9 270x, or 280x or even a 290x.